Dave Ed Roberts

DAVE  ED  ROBERTS

Dave Ed Roberts is a blues/r&b/rock guitarist and keyboard player from Kennesaw, Georgia. Growing up in the deep south, he was drawn early-on to sounds of regional artists he heard on local radio stations, and began playing guitar and piano at age 14. By age 17 he was playing in local bands where he caught the attention of prominent radio DJ “Big Hugh Baby” Jarrett, former member of Elvis Presley’s backing group, “The Jordinaires”. Jarrett recruited Dave Ed to play in the house band at Atlanta’s area powerhouse radio station WFOM’s for weekly “Hoparoonie” dance shows. These often-rowdy shows are where Dave Ed developed his signature style as they backed up the top southern touring acts of the day including Joe South, Billy Joe Royal, Wilson Pickett and many others.

This early education playing southern-flavored R&B guitar in the rough and tumble clubs and roadhouses of the late 60’s southern heartland served Dave Ed well, when at age 21 he migrated north to Boston seeking regular gigs to further his musical career. He soon formed the highly regarded and unique blues/rock trio “The Jaguars”. Touring with this tight and powerful group for five years, The Jaguars blazed a trail up and down the east coast, and Dave Ed became known for filling clubs with his brand of southern-bred blazing blues and slide guitar playing. During this period The Jaguars served as house band at the legendary blues club “Frankie’s North Shore” backing artists Freddy King, Albert King, Bukka White, James Cotton, and many more top touring blues artists of the day.

Dave Ed came to Washington, DC in the mid-70s to form “The Fabulous Touchtones” with renowned artists, vocalist Dixie Ballin and guitarist Don Oehser. Touring for five years with this r&b/rock group, they entertained fans in clubs and concerts with a unique blend of twin guitar-driven soul-infused blues rock.

Dave Ed and Don Oehser would later go on to form the highly regarded blues/r&b group “Unknown Marracas” with nationally known players, vocalist Doug Jay and drummer Brooks Tegler.

Now a solo artist, Dave Ed produces and records guitar-based original music from his studio in Virginia. His most recent release is the CD “Chantilly Groove” on SRS Records. An album of guitar/keyboard instrumentals that continues Dave Ed’s journey of playing and writing songs that recall his roots and feature his style of southern-born soulful guitar playing.